Sewing-machine



(No Model.)

R. S. LOOKER.

SEWING MACHINE.

Patented Sept. 21, 1886..

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' that the needle and presser-foot may be turned tions, so as to afforda high space thereunder resented in the accompanying drawings two 4 is avertical transverse section through the UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT S. LOOKER, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

SEWING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 349,439, datedSeptember 21, 1886.

Application filed August 1, 1885.

T0 allwhom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT S. LOOKER, of Springfield, in the county ofClark and State of Ohio, have invented certain Improvements inSewing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

In sewingmachines as ordinarily constructed the needle and thepresser-foot are attached rigidly to the lower ends of bars which slidevertically to a limited extent in fixed guides. In consequence of thisconstruction it frequently happens that there is difficulty in gainingfree access to the feed and shuttle mechanism, that there is difficultyin inserting bulky work below the needle and presser-foot, and that theneedle cannot be threadedor adj usted conveniently.

It isthe aim of my invention to avoid the difficulties above named; andto this end the invention consists, essentially, in jointing theneedle-bar and presser-bar in such manner or moved upward above theirordinary posiand give free access to the various parts.

The essence of the invention consists in the attachment of thepresser-foot and of the needle-retaining devices to their respectivebars by joints which will admit of their beinglifted higher than wouldotherwise be possible, and it is to be distinctly understood that forthis purpose joints of any appropriate character may be employed.

For the purposes of illustration I have repforms of joint; but there aremany other forms familiar to the skilled mechanic which may be used withequal advantage.

Figure l'represents a perspective view of the head and a portion of thebed-plate of a sewing-machine having my improvements embodied therein,the presser-foot and needle being shown in their elevated positions.Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views of a round needle-bar jointed inaccordance with my invention, the first-named figure showing the partsas they appear when the needle is turned upward, and the last-namedfigure the position of the parts when adjusted for operation. Fig.

center of the bar provided with a different form of joint. Fig. 5 is aside elevation of Serial No. 173,256. (No model.)

the same. Fig. 6 is a vertical central section showing a sliding insteadof a hinge joint. Referring to the drawings, A represents the base orbed plate of the machine, and O the head of the usually overhanging arm,which serves, as usual,to support and guide the vertically-reciprocatingneedle-bar D and the vertically-reciprocating presser-foot bar E.

Io the lower end of'the bar D, I secure a needle, F, by clamping orfastening devices of any ordinary or approved construction, thesedevices being foreign to the present in vention. At any suitable pointabove the clamping devices I provide the needle-bar with a joint orhinge of any form or character which will admit of the needle beingturned or lifted above its ordinary limit of movement.

In Figs. 1, 4, and 5 I have represented the needle-bar of a flat form,with its lower extremity, I), connected to the upper portion by ashouldered or lapped j oint and a pivot-screw, c, this constructionpermitting the lower end, together with the needle therein, to be turnedupward and forward toward the operator, so as to assume a horizontal orapproximately horizontal position, as plainly shown in Fig. 1. Thisposition of the parts permits the needle to be conveniently threaded,adjusted, sharpened, or otherwise manipulated, as occasion may require.

In order to lock the jointed ends of the bar and the needle in operativepositions, I propose to make use of a fastening device of any suitablecharacter. In the drawings I have represented for the purpose ascrew,(l,mounted in the needle-bar and arranged to engage a notch in the upperedge of the jointed portion, as plainly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Thisfastening-screw has the head recessed or cut away on one side, as shown,so that upon being given a half-revolution it will release the part band permit the same to swing upon its pivot.

In Figs. 2 and 3 I have represented the needle-bar of a roundorcylindrical form, the lower extremity being slotted to receive a tenonon the upper portion and secured thereto by a pivot-pin, c, after themanner of an ordinary knuckle-joint. Being thus attached, the lower end,to which the needle is clamped in the ordinary manner, may be turned upward at will at right angles to the upper por tion of the bar. In thisform of the device I employ as a locking device a rotary sleeve orcollar, 6, mounted on the lower portion of the bar, and provided in oneside with a notch or opening, f. NVhen the parts are in operativeposition, the collar is turned so as to throw its notch out of line withthe tenon, as shown in Fig. 3, in which position it serves to lock theparts firmly. Then the collar is turned in such position as to bringthis notch opposite the tenon, the lower end is free to swing upseenthat the lower portion of the bar is provided with a vertical tenonentering a corresponding hole in the lower portion, and that the twoparts are united by means of a springlocking finger, f, and also bymeans of a set screw, g.

Either of the two joints described may be applied to the needle-bar orto the presserbar. In order to prevent conflict between the needle andprcsser-foot when they are swung upward, and for other reasonsunnecessary to mention, I prefer to arrange the two, as shown in Fig 1,to swing in planes at right angles to each otl1er,-the needle movingtoward the operator and the prcsser-foot swinging laterally.

By jointing the bars I am enabled to lift the presser-bar and needle tosuch height as to admit of the hand being passed readily beneath them,so that the shuttle and feed mechanisms may be conveniently adjusted andcleansed, and that fabrics of great thickness may be readily placed inposition to be operated upon without injury thereto, and without dangerof breaking the needle.

I am aware that a needle-clamping stud has been swiveled in a needle-barin such manner as to permit the needle to be turned upward, and to suchconstruction I lay no claim. By jointing the needle-bar above the clampI am enabled to make use of a short and durable needle, and to swing thesame upward a great distance above the'bed or table. WVhen theneedle-clamp is swiveled, a wide space can only be obtained thereunderby the employment of a very long needle, the space in every instancebeing less than the length of the needle.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A sewing-machinehaving its needle-bar and its presser-foot bar jointed, substantially asdescribed, to permit the needle and presser- H foot to be lifted abovetheir operative positions.

2. A sewing machine having the needleclamping portion of its needle-barjointed to turn upward in one direction, and the presserfoot bar jointedto turn upward in a different direction, whereby free access is affordedto needle may be secured below the needle-bar.

4. In a sewing-machine, the needle-bar lraving its lower end hinged tothe remaining portion, in combination with the notched rotary sleeveapplied thereto, as described, for the double purpose of holding theneedle in its operative and in its elevated position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of twoattesting witnesses.

ROBERT S. LOOKER.

WVitnesses:

PHILIP T. DODGE, W. H. SHIPLEY.

